1998 Fleetwood Bounder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical618.2%
- Fuel system515.2%
- Brakes412.1%
- Body & structure412.1%
- Visibility39.1%
- Exterior lighting26.1%
- Tires & wheels26.1%
- Heating & air conditioning26.1%
- Driver assistance13.0%
- Suspension13.0%
- Powertrain (other)13.0%
- Interior & seats13.0%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERATOR MAKING NOISES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FUEL LINE WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE FUEL LINE TO THE COACH GENERATOR (110VAC-5.5 KVA) *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL LINE IS INSTALLED FROM OEM CHASIS CHEVROLET TO THE COACH GENERATOR BY FLEETWOOD AND HAS A MATERIAL MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION ALLOWING HYDRO CARBONS TO VENT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TO ESCAPE TO THE HOT SUFACES OF THE ONAN GENERATOR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE/PERSONAL INJURY AND OR DEATH. *SCC
A REPAIR MAN CHANGING A FLAT TIRE DISCOVERED THE PROPANE LINE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN AND THE WIRE HARNESS ABOVE THE WHEEL WELL COVER WAS SPLIT, THE PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WHEEL WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE DEFECT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER WILL SEEK LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GASOLINE LEAKING FROM CRACKED FUEL LINE BETWEEN MAIN GAS TANK AND GENERATOR ON 1998 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER MOTORHOME. CONCERN ABOUT DANGER OF LEAKING GASOLINE BUT THERE IS ALSO SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO LEAK. IF THERE WAS ANY SPARK FROM THIS CONNECTION, IT MAY CAUSE GAS TANK TO EXPLODE. I HAVE RUN THE GENERATOR 3 TIMES WITHOUT RUNNING THE MOTORHOME ENGINE AND HAVE HAD GAS LEAK EACH TIME. *TR
VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE GROUND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HOSE THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR FUEL TANK AND GENERATOR.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN AND OPERATE A GENERAL REPAIR SHOP. MY TECH REPLACED FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS ON FOR MENTIONED VEHICLE. WORKHORSE MFG PART NUMBERS (W8006778) AND (W8006803). WHILE ON TEST DRIVE THE ABS SYSTEM ENTERED FALSE DEPLOYMENT MODE AT 15MPH WHILE APPROACHING A BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET AND SLAM THE TRANSMISSION INTO LOW TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE NOSE OF THE COACH ENDED BLOCKING HALF A LANE OF TRAFFIC. NO ACCIDENT. FYI, THIS VEHICLE GVW IS 20,000 LBS. ( NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS TECHNICAL IN NATURE.) I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP TO INITIATE INVESTIGATION. USING A DVOM I MEASURED THE VOLTAGE AMPLITUDE OUT OF THE NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. THE FRONT LEFT MEASURED .068V AC AND THE FRONT RIGHT MEASURED .286V AC. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE FALSE DEPLOYMENT. I THEN REMOVED THE FRONT WHEELS TO INSPECT THE SENSORS AND DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS ARE MANUFACTURE WITHOUT LOCATION DOWELS. THE LOCATION DOWELS SET THE CRITICAL CLEARANCE GAP BETWEEN THE RELUCTOR AND SENSOR. THIS CLEARANCE GAP HAS A NARROW PLUS OR MINUS TOLERANCE. WHEN THE TOLERANCE IS LOST THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ENTER A FALSE DEPLOYMENT MODE ( ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND BLOCKS BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS ). THE NEW REPLACEMENT ABS SENSORS HAVE NO LOCATION DOWELS THERE FOR TOLERANCES AS DESIGNED ARE NOT ACHIEVED. THIS IS WHY I LOST CONTROL OF 10 TONS OF VEHICLE. THE PART SUPPLIER, PART MANUFACTURER, AND CHASSIS BUILDER HAVE BEEN SERVED FULL NOTICE OF THIS FLAW. THE GM CASE REFERENCE NUMBER IS [XXX]. THANK YOU, [XXX] MASTER ASE TRUCK CERTIFIED MASTER ASE CAR CERTIFIED MASTER ASE ENGINE MACHINIST CERTIFIED ASE L1 CERTIFIED WALWORTH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT APPOINTED EXPERT WITNESS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK......WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DOWN TOWN ATLANTA THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, NEARLY THROWING THE DRIVER ANS PASSENGER (S) OUT OF THEIR SEATS. IF THIS OCCURRED ON ICE/SNOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE FOUR THERMO-PANE WINDOWS IN THE MOTOR HOME LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. THREE OF THESE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED A LEAK, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG REDUCING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB
FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS WEARING UNEVENLY. AFTER INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BOLT HOLDING TIE ROD IN PLACE WAS LOOSE AND READY TO SNAP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INNER SIDE DUE TO THE 4 BOLTS HOLDING THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WERE LOOSE AND READY TO SNAP. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE FOUR THERMO-PANE WINDOWS IN THE MOTOR HOME LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. THREE OF THESE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED A LEAK, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG REDUCING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB
THE DRIVER WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT AT BOTTOM DUE TO FLAW AT FACTORY. 5/8 OF FIBER GLASS WERE NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RUBBER SEAL AND THE BODY. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MANY FLEETWOOD OWNERS REPORT THEIR HEADLIGHT LENSES CLOUD OVER (BECOME MILKY) AND THEREFORE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THIS DEFECT APPEARS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LENSE. FLEETWOOD HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM WHEN A MOTORHOME IS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, IF IT NOT...THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS!!!!
IF DOME LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS INSTANTLY BURN OUT. FUSE LEFT IN BY MISTAKE AT FORD. ALL FORD F-53 CHASSIS (1999) IT ALSO DRAINS BATTERY WHEN STORED. FIX--REMOVE FUSE THAT ENABLES DOME LIGHT SWITCH. DOMELIGHT SWITCH IS PART OF DASH DIMMER SWITCH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT. I OWN A RV MADE BY FLEETWOOD. GOING TO FLORIDA WITH FAMILY WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE TORE UP WHEEL WELL COVER AND THEN DESTROYED A MAIN WIRING HARNESS WITH BOTH AC/DC POWER. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS IT ALSO BROKE A GAS LINE, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION FROM THE SPARKING WIRES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TOLD ME TO GO TO HELL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY A DIME FOR REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED FROM A GAS EXPLOSION.*AK
THE SLIDEOUT ROOM IS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WITH THE BODY AND ALLOWS CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK IN WHEN WE RUN THE GENERATOR. THE RUBBER SEALS DON'T SEAL BECAUSE THE SLIDEOUT IS TWISTED. THE MOTORHOME WAS RETURNED TO THE FACTORY ONCE TO REPAIR THE SLIDEOUT. MY DEALER HAS TESTED AND VERIFIED CO LEAKAGE AND HAS COME UP WITH SEVERAL THEORIES AND REASONS FOR THE LEAKAGE, BUT NO REMEDY. THE LAST TIME WE USED THE GENERATOR, THE CO DETECTOR WENT OFF IN SEVEN MINUTES WITH THE WINDOW THAT IS FARTHEST FROM THE GENERATOR OPEN AND THE CEILING FAN ON. WE CAN'T USE THE GENERATOR. WE HAVE THREE PHONE NUMBERS -- LAND LINE (425) 290-7109 AND TWO CELL PHONES, (425) 478-3698 AND 478-3691. THANK YOU. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR CONDITIONER SHROUD NEARLY SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO STRESS CRACKS AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLTS. I HAD TO REMOVE THE COVER TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. *AK
SLIDE OUT WOULD GO IN AND OUT WITHOUT THE KEY IN CONTROL. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SLIDE OUT WOULD GO IN AND OUT WITHOUT THE KEY IN CONTROL. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MODEL 32H - REAR OF VEHICLE WITHIN 500 LBS MAXIMUM AXLE RATING WITH NO WATER, NO GEAR, AND 3/4 TANK FUEL. 100 GALLON (800 LBS) WATER TANK AND ALMOST ALL AVAILABLE STORAGE BEHIND REAR AXLE. VEHICLE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE OVER RATED REAR AXLE WEIGHT WHEN IN OPERATION. PROBLEM CORRECTED IN 1999 MODEL WITH LONGER WHEELBASE AND HIGHER RATED REAR AXLE. RECALL ACTIVATED FOR SLIDEOUT MODELS, BUT NOT STANDARD MODELS LIKE MINE. FLEETWOOD AND FORD NOTIFIED A YEAR AGO WITH NO ACTION TAKEN. NO FAILURE YET (YOUR FORM WILL NOT ACCEPT ZERO FAILURES), BUT AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE IS A 35 FT MOTOR HOME BUILT BY FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC., RIVERSIDE, CA, THE COACH WAS CONSTRUCTED ON A FORD F-SUPER DUTY CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS WITHA 228 " WHEEL BASE. FORD RATES THE MAX GVWR AT 17,000 LBS WITHA 6000 LB FRONT AXLE CAPACITY. THE LOAD ON THE FRONT AXLE HAS BEEN MEASURED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT 5710 LBS. TOTALLY EMPTY . THIS WILL NOT ALLOW A DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO BE IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT OVERLOADING THE FRONT AXLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SLIDE OUT WOULD GO IN AND OUT WITHOUT THE KEY IN CONTROL. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SLIDE OUT WOULD GO IN AND OUT WITHOUT THE KEY IN CONTROL. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .